Warring Manipur groups start surrendering looted weapons

IMPHAL: Several arms and ammunition have been voluntarily surrendered in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts following Manipur governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla's plea to hand over the weapons.
As a step towards de-weaponising society and creating a safe and secure atmosphere for regular activities, Assam Rifles, CRPF and police launched a public awareness campaign. As a result of this initiative, several weapons and ammunition were voluntarily surrendered in Churachandpur district on Saturday.
The voluntarily surrendered 16 illegal or looted weapons and ammunition include 1 M-16 rifle, one 7.62 mm SLR, two AK rifles, three INSAS rifles, two M-79 40mm Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL), one 9mm carbine machine gun, one 51 mm mortar, three .303 rifles and two single barrel rifles.
The ammunition include 64 gelatine sticks, 10 rounds of 60 mm Pumpi (improvised mortar) ammunition, 17 rounds of AK ammunition, 40 rounds of 5.56 mm rifle ammunition and three 9 mm calibreammunition.
One looted tear gas gun was also handed over to officer in charge of Saparmeina police station, Kangpokpi district, on Friday in response to the governor's appeal.
In Kakching district, one .303 rifle with 1 magazine, 13 numbers of .303 ammunition, four BP vests, five BP plates and four helmets were voluntarily handed over to Kakching police station.
Following the apprehension of Arambai Tengkol members on Feb 20, security forces handed over the recovered arms from the Wairi area to Kakching PS officer in charge.
The weapons include one 5.56 mm INSAS rifle, one 5.6 mm caliber rifle, one .12 bore rifle, one 12 bore short gun, one 9 mm pistol, one air pistol, one 303 rifle, four 12 bore rifle (single barrel), one 12 bore water cannon and one 36 hand grenade.
Several rounds of ammunition, including 27 9mm live rounds, 92 live rounds of 7.62 mm AK 47, 40 rounds of 7.62 mm CTN, 45 live rounds of 5.56 mm INSAS, 13 live rounds of INSAS 20 KF (small), 65 live rounds of 303, 30 live cartridge of 12 bore, 2 5.56 INSAS empty magazine, 1 .303 empty magazine, 1 9mm pistol magazine (made in China) and two .303 rifles.
More of such voluntary cooperation is expected in the coming days.